Some weeks ago I looked at the best wrecks in Cyprus over a couple of posts. However, this got me thinking. Not all divers care about exploring underwater lumps of metal. Some prefer simply wading out into the water, instead of having to roll off a boat miles from shore! Then it got me thinking further. After all this diving in Cyprus, where are the best shore dives?
Here is the list of the dive sites I came up with, that you can experience along the Cypriot coast. The list is not exhaustive and is compiled of sites from the South coast of the island. There are many places, especially in the Turkish North of the island, I haven’t dived. Listening to some stories from other divers on the island, these sites could quite easily make this list.
Green Bay
A very popular dive site located near Protaras, Green Bay offers a beautiful dive to any level of qualified diver. People who have never dived before are often taken here for a Try Dive!
The bay is easily accessible and gently deepens out towards some statues which have been placed in 7m of water. There aren’t many, yet pose the greatest attraction of the dive. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting site to see if you’ve never been before.
If you take a right from the statues, you’ll often see a large turtle around the rocks. If you’re not happy with seeing a turtle diving, then what will you be happy about?! Navigation back into the bay could potentially be problematic. However, as long as you follow the rocks back to the statues, you should be able to find your way back in.
Pistol Bay
The only site on this list from Paphos district, Pistol Bay is a beautiful coastal dive. It’s actually located in Peyia, just North of Paphos. The site slopes to around 24m and offers plenty for any grade of diver. The nearby wreck of Edro III is one of the best sites on the island, so certainly worth the visit.
Pistol Bay itself is a beautiful reef which is home to a whole host of marine life. Some of the rock formations are similar in ways to a coral reef in their colour. You may even see some real coral in The Pit. There are also a few swim-throughs and caves, which may appeal to some more ‘adventurous’ divers.
It is a great site and may provide a fantastic introduction to diving in an overhanging environment. The caves provide a home to various fish, so there’s always something to see.
Cyclops Cave
Also known as Konnos, this site is probably the second best on the island, after the Zenobia! It’s at least, in my opinion, the best shore dive Cyprus has to offer. Access is difficult along an offload track running behind a new hotel apartment development in Trigonas Bay in Protaras. The site looks directly over at the Chapel (home to another dive site) and Konnos Beach off to the right. Aside from the underwater attraction, the cave itself is famous in local folklore and attracts plenty of tourists each year.
That being said, parking at the site is usually quiet. I have, however, been when it was quite busy with other divers, tourists and fishermen, but you’ll still find somewhere to park up. The hill from the parking down to the water’s edge can be tricky with a twinset (saying that from experience) but it is manageable. Getting into the water can be a little tough too, especially if at low water. Nonetheless, once in, the site is gorgeous.
There is something for everyone. The shallows entertain a plethora of marine life around the rocks. The sandy seabed extends out, dropping down to over 50m, if you’ve got the stomach for it! Despite its accessibility ‘difficulties’, it is certainly one of the best shore dives in Cyprus!
Chapel Rock
Over the bay from Konnos sits Chapel Rock, or just The Chapel as it’s sometimes referred to as. Another site found around the Cape Greco peninsula (the rocky outcrops make for great shore diving) with plenty to see. Entry is either down a long set of steps or by striding off the rock into 12m of water below.
The area is a very popular spot for cliff jumpers, and as your dive takes you along the rocks, you sometimes see things that the jumpers have dropped. You can also see them jumping in when you sit at your safety stop, so those 3 minutes can pass like a flash.
You can dive down to around 40m on the site and can see a whole host of marine life around the rocks, including even moray eels and the occasional turtle. A site that can be dived by any qualified diver, Chapel Rock certainly holds its place as one of the best shore dives in Cyprus.
Tunnels and Caves
Along the Cape Greco peninsula are many dive sites that can be explored from the shore. My favourite of the bunch is Tunnels and Caves. It is relatively accessible, providing your car can manage some off-road. It is a short walk down the rocks to the water’s edge, which has been concreted to make it easier for divers.
The whole site is a series of, unsurprisingly, tunnels and caves. There are several swimthroughs, some very narrow, and a plethora of lionfish hiding around the rocks! Depending how far out you go you may be able to hit 15m, but a majority of the interesting bits sit no deeper than 15m.
A torch is highly recommended, if nothing to be able to look for lionfish before entering small passages. Back towards the exit there is a short tunnel that exits up through a blowhole. It’s a great way to finish the dive, but certainly worth removing your fins before trying to clamber out! Back up in the car park, it is worth noting that the mud is very clay-like. Take a bucket to wash off your boots and mats to stand on/put your kit on!
So out of these best shore dives in Cyprus, I would certainly put Cyclops Cave at the top of that list. As always, though, this list is not exhaustive. There are several other shore dives in Cyprus that may take your fancy. Regardless, the island has a whole host of beautiful coastal locations where you can kit up and explore!